Philadelphia Union has signed midfielder Ben Bender to a new contract that will keep him with the club until June 2027, with an option to extend through June 2028. The announcement was made by the team on January 7, 2025.
Bender, who is 24 years old, previously played for Union Academy and was the first overall pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. He joined Philadelphia Union on May 9, 2025, and made his debut for the first team less than two weeks later during the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. In Major League Soccer play, Bender appeared in seven matches—starting four—and recorded an 82% pass completion rate over 320 minutes.
Head coach Bradley Carnell commented on Bender’s impact since returning to the club: “Ben has been a positive addition and has made significant contributions since he returned to Union last May. When given opportunities, he has consistently made the most of them, bringing a high level of competitiveness and a strong work ethic to the field every day. We are confident in his continued development and future impact with the team.”
Philadelphia Union competes as a professional soccer team in Major League Soccer and represents the city through competitive play and community involvement. The organization plays its home games at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, where it also maintains training facilities. The team is recognized for its strong seasonal performance within the league and features a roster of professional players on its main squad (https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/).
The club captured its first Supporters’ Shield in 2020 for having the top regular-season record in Major League Soccer (https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/).
Bender’s new contract aims to strengthen Philadelphia Union’s midfield as they continue their efforts both on and off the field.
